A spine for an article of footwear includes a base extending from a first end to a second end. The spine also includes a sidewall extending transversely from the base from the first end to the second end. The sidewall has a plurality of sidewall supports including a forefoot sidewall support at the first end, a heel sidewall support at the second end, and a mid-foot sidewall support disposed between the first end and the second end and defining a maximum height of the sidewall.

A modular shoe insole is disclosed. The insole includes discrete therapeutic components that are removably attachable to a support frame for customization to selectively target and provide therapeutic relief to specific areas of the foot. The therapeutic components include a first-toe support member corresponding to the big toe, a second-to-fifth-toe support member corresponding to the second through fifth toes, a ball-of-foot support member corresponding to the ball of the foot, an arch support member corresponding to the arch of the foot, a heel support member corresponding to the heel of the foot, toe dividers for separating the second through fifth toes, and a heel guard for protecting the heel from the back of a shoe. Addition or removal of a therapeutic component from the support frame enables individuals to target the specific area of the foot that corresponds to the therapeutic component.

A damping sole includes support zones with a main surface that have a relative stiffness or hardness lower than that of the other zones, the support zones being positioned under the load-bearing protuberances of the foot. The support zones are delimited by oblique lateral faces that are inclined towards the lower main surface of the sole at an inclination angle (A) and are disposed such that, at rest, they come to bear obliquely against the peripheral surface of the dermal part of the corresponding load-bearing protuberance of the foot. In this way, a compromise is reached between the need for impact damping and the need for foot stability in a shoe, while ensuring satisfactory comfort.

A damping sole includes support zones with a main surface that have a relative stiffness or hardness lower than that of the other zones, the support zones being positioned under the load-bearing protuberances of the foot. The support zones are delimited by oblique lateral faces that are inclined towards the lower main surface of the sole at an inclination angle (A) and are disposed such that, at rest, they come to bear obliquely against the peripheral surface of the dermal part of the corresponding load-bearing protuberance of the foot. In this way, a compromise is reached between the need for impact damping and the need for foot stability in a shoe, while ensuring satisfactory comfort.

The present invention provides a shoe having a simpler structure compared to patent document JP-A 2010-162318, with reduced discomfort and enhanced repulsive force.

According to an aspect of certain embodiments of the present invention, a shoe 10 comprising: a middle sole 14 having a foot contacting surface 40 and a ground contacting surface 42; an upper at least partially covering the foot contacting surface 40 of the middle sole 14; and an elastic structure 18 curving upwards towards the rear direction at least from the outer foot side of the ground contacting surface is provided. With such configuration, discomfort can be reduced and repulsive force can be enhanced.

A shoe having a structure with excellent acceleration performance is provided. A shoe includes: a sole made of a soft material, which includes a ground contact surface and also includes a foot contact surface facing a side opposite to the ground contact surface; and an upper combined with the foot contact surface side of the sole. A thickness of the sole at a position corresponding to an MP joint of a wearer is different from a thickness of the sole at a position corresponding to the center of the heel such that an angle between the foot contact surface and the ground contact surface falls within the range of 8 to 16 degrees. Accordingly, a shoe having a structure that provides excellent feeling of acceleration is provided.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

Methods of using a foot device are disclosed herein. The foot device includes a generally U-shaped portion having an arcuate portion and first and second legs extending from the arcuate portion. Each leg has an end and a relief area disposed adjacent the respective end. A method of using the foot device comprises engaging the arcuate portion with a heel of a foot to form a first point of contact; positioning the relief area of the first leg proximate a fifth metatarsal head of the foot such that the fifth metatarsal head drops to form a second point of contact; and positioning the relief area of the second leg proximate a first metatarsal head of the foot such that the first metatarsal head drops to form a third point of contact, wherein the first, second, and third points of contact form a triangle-shaped contact surface.

An orthotic for a foot having a top side and a bottom side, the bottom side having flexion zone located between the medial and the lateral side of the orthotic at a position corresponding to the posterior metatarsal phalangeal joint of the foot and 25 mm behind; and/or the heel section of the bottom side of the orthotic pitched so that the height of the rear of the orthotic is greater than the innermost section of the heel; and/or the top side having a raised section located at a position corresponding to the medial side of the calcaneus of a foot.

There is provided a shoe insole that facilitates a movement to grasp the ground with toes while ensuring stability and motility. A shoe insole 1 includes, in order to maintain an inner longitudinal arch 121, an outer longitudinal arch 122, and a transverse arch 120 of a foot, a calcaneal anterior-part support protrusion 90 that abuts a calcaneal anterior part 12A of the foot, and a toe ball support part 100 that supports a thenar 26A and a hypothenar 34A of the foot, with the calcaneal anterior-part support protrusion 90 maintaining the inner longitudinal arch 121, the outer longitudinal arch 122, and the transverse arch 120, wherein an insole front part 110 thinner than the toe ball support part 100 is provided in front of the toe ball support part 100.